Method of and apparatus for developing photographic films.



P. E. EDELMAN.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

APPLICATION man Aue.12. 1914.

1,294,429. Pat-iited Feb. 18, 1919,

\ 4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

wo 0W8 WITNESSES: I ma 7 INVENTOR. w wx ZMM A 63m M Ma -5W P. E.EDELMAN.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.12, I9l4 1 94,429 Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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DEVELOP/N6 PACK P. E. EDELMAN.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHEC FILMS.

APPLICATION HLED AUG. 12, 1914.

:ATTACH HERE FOR DEVELOPMENT mum I pirosuh:

I sAvc" FLYAPS 00m TEAR'HERE REMOVE STOPS Q'IYLY-BEFORE Dcym. OEMENTDAYLIGHT LOADING AND D YLIGHT Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IN VEN TOR.

E. EDELMAN. v METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

APP LICATlQN FILED AUQJZ, 19H- Patnted Fe10.18,1919.

1,294,429 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4 7P 75 nae 9. 8a 5 11 A v FIG. 1.

W1 TNESSES INVENTOR,

parts are considered.

. ments, and in which,

PHILIP E. ELELMAN. or ST. PAUL, mivnnsora.

PATENT oFFIoE.

METHOD or AND APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING riioro(marine FILMS...

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP E. EDELMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota,have invented a new and useful Method of and Apparatus for DevelopingPhotographic Films, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the development of photographic surfaces andmore particularly to the development in daylight of roll or pack films,or both. One'of the 'objects of my present invention is to provide asimple method and portable apparatus for uniformly developing lightsensitive surfaces. Another object is to provide means for the daylightdevelopment of film packs, the tabs of such films being utilized so thatno' dark room is required for loadin the films into the developingapparatus. ther objects will appear hereafter as the several Thisinvention will be understood from the accompanying drawings whichillustrate by way of example suitable embodi- Figure 1 is a plan view ofa portion of a roll film; Fig. 2, a plan view of a developed pack film;Fig. 3, an isometric view of the essential parts of a rotary embodimentof my invention; Fig. 4, a modification of Fig. 3 particularly adaptedto film packs in which an isometric view of the essential parts isshown; Fig. 5, a portion of the film. and spacers cut away from Fig. 4so as to show their relation in use; Fig. 6, an

isometric view of a suitable form of spacer;

Fig. 7, an isometric view of a modification of Fig. 6 and showing asuitable mode ofconnection at the end thereof; Fig. 8, an isometric viewof a modification of'Fig. 6; Fig. 9, an isometric view illustrating thepreparation of a film pack for use as in Fig. 4; Fig. 10, another viewshowing how one film of the pack pulls out the next when prepared asshown in Fig. 9; Fig.11, a section view through the middle of the end ofFig. 10, showing therelation of the successive films; Fig. 12, acomplete isometric View of an embodiment of my invention for either rollor pack films, particularly the former, the outer casing of thisembodiment being indicated by broken lines; Fig. 13, an isometric viewof a complete film pack having its tabs saved in accordance with myinvention; Fig. 14, an isometric view of one of the stops used in Fig.13, Fig. 15, an isometric view of the interior frame of a film packembodying.;suitable changes in accordance with. my'invention; Fig. 16,an

isometric view of one of thetwo stops used with Fig. 15;Fig. 17 is anisometric View of the films in positions before and after be- 1 ingdrawn for exposure and before development; Fig. '18 shows. an isometricpartial view of the upper portion of a film packs casing such as inFig.- 15 but provided with a modified stopping means in lieu of that Ishown in Fig. 16; Fig. 19 is a partial isometric view of the uppercorner of a film pack embodying the device of Fig. 18; Fig. 20 is anisometric view of the upper portion of a film pack showing anothermodification of my improvement; Fig. 21 is an isometric view showinganother modification'of Fig. 20; Fig. 22 is an isometric view showing amodified form of the film pack of Fig. 13;

23 isa plan view showing a sultable "form of my invention for use withthe film pack of Fig. 13, the cover being removed; Fig. 24 is a sideprojection of Fig. 23 with the cover shown in position; Fig. 25 "is anisometric view of the cover of Fig. 24 showing the pack of Fig. 13 inposition before development; Fig. 26 is a partial section through themiddle of Fig. 23', showing the relation of the parts when in use; Fig.27 is an isometric View of the shaft used in Fig. 23; Fig. 28 is anisometric view of the reel used in Fig. 23; Fig. '29 is a sectionthrough the middle of the flange as'used in Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is an isometric view of the film supports of Figs. 23; 24, and26, in extended position'to disclose the construction; Fig.31 isanisometricview of a modification of the supports of Figf30; Fig. 32 isan enlarged isometric view of the spacing element of Fig. 31;. Fig. 33shows the right elevation, plan, and front respectively of the hobks,83- used in Fig. 30.; Fig. 34 is a section view of the film spoolsupport screw used in Fig. 12; Fig. 35 is a section of the adjustingscrew 4l-of Fig. 12; Fig. 36 'is a partial section .views'howing how thespacing reel of Fig. 12 is carried; Fi 37 is a partial view in partsection in which is shown the manner in which the lower portion of thespacer support of Fig. 12 is'journaled into'the lower portion of theframe; Fig. 38 "is an illustrative isometric view showing the relationof the parts and the roll film in use in Fig. 12; Fig. 39 is anisometric view of the device of Fig. 12 showing a film pack in placeready to be treated for development; Fig. 40 is a front elevationpartially in section showing the frame of Fig. 39 placed in a developingbath; Fig. 41 is a front elevation and Fig. 42 a side view projectedtherefrom, showing a suitable crank for actuating the mechanism of thedevice of Fig. 12; Fig. 43 is an illustrative isometric view of'amodification of of Fig. 1, for supporting the film 1 without spoilingthe picture portion 3 thereof. 1*, 2, and 3 designate the correspondingparts of a pack film in Fig. 2. I support the blank rims 2 by means of anarrow spacer such as that shown in Fig. 7. The spacer is placed againstthe film with its smooth side 4 against the blank portion 2. Inpractice, when this is done the picture portion 3 develops, leaving theblank rim undeveloped, but this blank rim 2 automatically becomes clearwhen the film l is placed in the usual fixing solution afterdevelopment.

development and to that end the spacers are preferably made about aswideas this blank rim 2, which for example-may bet" wide. The spacer,Fig. 7 has fluid openings5 and forms the sole support for the film 1,leaving the blank portion 3 containing the picture untouched. Thespacers 6, Fig. 7 ,may be also constructed as in Figs. 6 and 8 but inany instance these spacers are used as shown by 6, 6, in Fig. 3, beingheld between the flanges 7 of reel 8 and wound uponanother reel 9, alayer of film 1 with its backing paper l0 being thereby sandwiched inbetween the successive layers of 6 on 9 so as to form a free passagewayfor the fluid used for development of the image, over the entire picturesurface of the film 1 The film is thus not supported upon an apron butis supported by itself at the blank rims only and has its entire lengthrigidly and uniformly spaced from the next adjacent layer. Fluids canflow through this spiral passageway by means of the holes 11 and opening12. This arrangement can be used for either pack or roll films but forpack films the arrangement of Fig. 4 is preferred. Here, Fig. 5, thespacers 6 are-held at a uniform distance apart by a strip of celluloidor other suitable material 13 and the film to be developed only touchesthe My ins vention contemplates the use of spacers only covering thenatural blank portions 2 during spacers 6 at the films blank rims sothat 13 does not support but merely keeps the spacers 6 properlypositioned against the film 1 A piece of sheet metal 14 bent into theform shown in Fig. 4 springs against the contents of the two reels 8, 9,and keeps the spacers 6, 6, taut, thereby also guiding the films 1* intoplace as indicated by Fig. 5.

In order to use a film pack'as in Fig. 4 I have taken one of theordinary film packs, such asare marketedas daylight loading and exposingpacks but not daylight developing packs, and improved it in accordancewith my invention so that it can be developed entirely without the useof a darkroom. I save the flaps of the films of said film pack andconstruct the pack so that said films cam be removed from the film packcasing by means of these flaps without requiring the touch of the humanhand.

The pack, Fig. 13, is used in the usual manner except that the flaps 15are saved after exposure. The lugs 16 normally stop the films within thepack but are quickly removable when the seal 17 is broken. When thestops 1 6 are removed the films can'be pulled from the pack by means ofthe flaps. This principle can be utilized as shown in the drawings topull any desired number of films front the pack. Any remaining films-canbe left in the pack and used by simply resealing the stop lugs 16. 4

Now in the form indicated in Fig. 4, a pack such as shown in Fig. 13 hasbeen prepared as in Fig. 9 by simply pasting orattaching by means of apin or other suitable fastener, the tip of flap from film two to theback of flap one, the tip of flap three to the back of' flap two, and soon. Then when flap one is. attached to reel 9 or to 13, Fig. 4, 5, andthe reel 9 is rotated clockwise, first the first film will be pulled outof the pack 26 and then all the succeeding films'will be pulled out, oneby the other, as indicated in 1 or rubber fabric or any suitablematerial and may be sewed or cemented to. the strip 13 or used alone asin Fig. 3'. In the latter case the end of the spacer 6 is preferablytapered to a fiat extremity 18 and provided with an attaching eyelet 18.The spacer 6 can also be made as shown in Figs. 6 and 8.

In Fig. 6 the openings 5*, 5*, are arranged to come at staggeredportions of the channel 19 formed in 6 so that fluids will b freelyadmitted but light which travels iii straight lines will not be able topass. The

' or their equivalent to catch theshoulders C,

C, Fig. 17, of the films before they are pulled afford the necessarylight form shown'in Fig. '8 simply has its openings 5", formed from,corrugations as shown. It is to be noted that the form shown in Fig. 6requires no light tight flange 9 in use, and if a flange is to be usedwith it, the spacer alone, thus constructed, will roofing.

Taking up now the fim pack, I attach the usual back piece 20 carryingvelvet 21 to the frame 22 at the side by means of suitable dog ears .orfasteners 24,-so that an opening 25 is formed which will allow films 1"and their backing papers 10 to freely. pass. The velvet serves inconjunction with the carton 26 to form the usual light tight valve.Stops formed as in either Fig. 14 or 16 are then placed adjacent to eachend of when the frame with its films is in place, and the stops 27formed on the lugs 16 partially close the passageway by shutting off itstwo ends so that only the flaps 15 can pass While the end lugs 16 or 16are in place.

Novices are thereby prevented from lifting the films out of the-pack-26prematurely. The pack 26 is of course capable of use by careful personswithout the stops. 16 or an equivalent therefor can be arranged in thecamera or film pack holder itself. It is however very desirable toprovide these stops 16 out of the pack 26 and before they are to bedeveloped. i

In the modification of. Figs. 18 and 19, the

stops are formed of sheet metal angles 28, 29, with 29 extending so that1t can be pulled out 7 from the back of pack 26 and with 28 heldnormallywith its end in the hump 27 formed at the top-of frame 22.. In themodification of' Fig. 20, the stops are .formed from the paper carton 26itself, the ends 23 of which are simply pasted into position so that 27covers the passage slot 25 in the manner set forth. In the modificationof Fig. 21- the stops 27 are formed of a metal band 30 placed around thepack 26 and the same band 30 may be used repeatedly with differentpacks. The stop 30 can thus conveniently be placed in the camera or packholder itself. In the modification of Fig. 22, the stops 27 d arecarried by hinged metal strips 1 which are capable of being sealed setforth." The flaps 15 are placed under a rubber band'or other suitablefastener 32 as exposed and are saved. This flap holder 32 can also beembodied in the pack holder or on the camera instead of the film pack,as is obvious. In accordance with my invention any other type of filmpack may similarly be modified for use with my apparatus, sufficientexamples having been shown, as is obvious. In Fig. 12 I show a suitableform of my invention which will develop either pack films 01' roll filmsaccording to the holder used.

49- is carried down as already.

Thus the roll film are simply replaced by the paokfilm supports such asin Fig. 39 are shown by 35,35, if pack films areto be developed. A twopart frame 39, 34, and 40 fits into the casing 47 provided with a lcover'48 having holes 61 through which the shafts 59 project. The bottom partof this frame 39 carries the slotted uprights 34 and the top part 40carry' ing the extensions 37 slides about 34 up and down and may beadjusted at various heights as2i, 3%", etc., marked on 34 andfastened'by means of a screw 41. Pieces 34 are 'bent over at the top toform lugs 45 by means of which the whole frame may be pumped up and downwithin 47. The top 40 has its corners beveled or out off at 46, 46, sothat fluids poured upon 40 may flow around 46 and into 47 Both 40 and 39have holes 11 to facilitate thecirculation of the developing solution.The spacers 6 are attached to the reel 9 by means of pins 107 Bothjoints are accordinglgy of the'type shown in Fig. 36. reel, 7, is heldto The upper portion of the 40 by a dou'bleiflanged hollow piece 52 sothat 7 can rotate freely about 52. The hole in 52 is also such that thesquare shaft 44 can rotate freelyin'it. The flange 7 ,however carriesthe piece. 53 which fits about 44 so that 53 can slide up or downf44axially but must turn with 44.

These adjustable joints are only necessary at the top 40. The screw 36'is mounted in 40 as shown in Fig. 34 where the smooth spool support 36forming the end of screw by 40 and a bushing 50 soldered thereto. Theclamping screw 41 is shown in detail in Figure 35 and has a flange 5 1rest1ng against 37. The two spring pieces 42 fastened to one of themembers 34 bear down upon the spacers 6, 6, as the latter are wound upand keep 6, 6 in position against '39, 40 respectively.

In practice 'the top 40 is adjusted for the size of film to bedeveloped. The spool of the roll film is placed between 33, 36. one endof the films backing paper is threaded in slot 43 of reel 9, the spacers6, 6, are attached to 9, the frame 39,40, is placed in 47 and with thecover 48 in position the shaft 46 is wound clockwise by means of thedetachable crank of Fig. 41. When the film is wound up the cover 48 isremoved and the usual developing solution is poured over 40 and-into 47the frame 39, v

40 is then pumped up andldo'wn a. few times to insure an even-flowo'f'the fluid from time to time, and after each pumping the cover 48 maybe replaced or left off as the film when once 'wound up is protectedfrom the light by its own backing paper inconjunction with the spacers 6and the flanges formed by 39, 40. After development, the fluid may bepoured oil" by tipping 47 cornerwlse; the de- Various other modes ofoperation are-also possible but I have ascertained that this one givesgood results. -The essential relation of the parts in this embodiment isshown 1n Fig. 38. The operation is similar when the film pack alreadydescribed is used with the modified frame as in Fig. 39. As amodi-fication, the frame may be removed from 47 when the film is allwound up and may then be placed in a smaller open container 62containing a fluid for development, 64. 64 may be covered by a layer offloating nonactinic material such as partially refined petroleum oil ofnon-actinic color, which oil also prevents oxidation of the developingreagent 64. g

The crank, Figs. 41 and 42, carries a tube 56 which slips over a slottedshaft 59, 60 so that the extension 55-carried by 57, 58 engagTs the saidslotted shaft as has been set fort 1.

The device of Fig. 12 maybe modified as in Figs. 43, 44, so that in thecase of a roll film, the backing paper 1O thereof, may be ejected. Thus,as diagrammed, as the spacers 6 are wound about 9 the film l-is alsowound and spaced thereabout but the paper 10 is simultaneously ejectedfrom 47, 48 and accordingly no backing paper need be retained in thespiral to which the fluids for treating are admitted.

In the modification of Figs. 23, 24, and 25 the individual pack filmsare separately wound up and spaced, the reel 9 carrying the films isthen removed from the winding box 71 and placed in a separate solutioncontainer of smaller dimensions as in Fig. 40 except that in this caseonly the reel 9 without the other equipment is so immersed in thesolution. The spring 14 is fastened to the bottom of the box 71 at 67 asshown and serves to keep the spacers holding strip 13 taut. 13 has itsend bent over to support eyelet hooks 66 of metal which hooks slip overthe pins 72 of reel 73 and the other end is provided with similareyelets 66, and pins 72 are provided upon reel 9 for the same purpose.The film pack is placed in a metal spring holder 92 fastened to thecover 90, Fig. 25, at 91. The film pack film .tightly to it at 72.

constructed to fit into the grooved top flaps 15 are held between thebottom of the cover 90 and the pack itself andmay be removed one by oneas wanted. The cover 90 has a hinged portion 89 joined light The cover89, 90 is .of 71 to exclude light and strips of velvet 69 are furtherused as shown to, exclude light during the winding operation. The reel 9is constructed as shown in Fig. 28 and Fig. 29 with fluid openings 11and a square hole 78 to coiiperate with the square portion 76 of theshaft 77, 76, 75, 74 of Fig. 27.

The reel 73 is similarly "supported by a duplicateshaft like that shownin Fig. 27.

The celluloid strip 13 carries hooks 83 of sheet metal as in Fig. 33, atintervals, and also carries spacers 87 which, Fig. 2, are not onlyadapted to contact with the edge blank portions 2', 2*, but also the twoends of each film pack film. The rims 86 do not make contact with thefilms and merely serve as guides, thereby aiding in the forming of auniform spiral. Starting with the spiral wound upon 73 as indicated bythe dotted lines of Fig. 24, the first film to be developed has its flapend attached to the first hook. The cover 89 is then closed down and thecrank 74 turned a predetermined angle to the next position marked uponthe outside of box 71 by 2. The first film is thereby pulled out of thepack 26 and wound into a protected position.

The cover 89 is then lifted up and the next film is attached to the nexthook and the operation is repeated until all of the desired films havebeen wound up. The action is indicated by the partial section view ofFig. 26.

The result is that each film is wound into a spaced position so thateven when the fluid subsequently admitted unloosens the gummed fastener15* by which it is held to its flap 15,.the film 1 is spaced positivelyat its blank rims and cannot hit against the black celluloid strip 13 toprevent proper development. The modification here shown is obviouslyintended particularly for pack films. The numbers 1, 2, .3, 6 etc.,enable the operator to turn the crank 74 properly according to apre-.arranged schedule so that each time when the cover is opened thenext tight container having aremovable cover, a

be omitted. The spacers may be sewed to various means I employ toaccomplish the objects of this invention so that the advantages thereofand equivalents therefor are obvious to any one skilled in the art.Various changes may be made within the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim, and these Letters Patent are to be understood as granted for:

1. Developing-apparatus having in combination, a winding spindle; apan-of separating strips; a reel for supporting the strips; and a frameforrotatably supporting the spindle, the reel, and for supporting asupply of films, the frame comprising tWo parallel plates and connectingmembers between the plates, one of the plates being movable with respectto the other.

2. Developing-apparatus having, in combination, a winding-spindle; apair of separating-strips; a reel forsupporting, the, strips; and aframe for rotatably supp0rtingthe spindle and the reel, and for sup iporting a supply of films, said frame com prislng resilient memberswhich engage thereel to subject it to friction tion thereof. a a

3. In a portable film developing apparatus the combination of a lightand liquid to limit the rotawinding shaft therein andextending throughsaid cover, two film rim spacers -controlling means for the saidspacers, an means for holding asu ply of films so that afilm therefrommay e wound spacers about said shaft.

4. In a portable film developing apparatus, a container, a shaft thereinand extending therethrough, a reel therein and carrying film spacers,and. means on said reel' for retaining said spacers in operativeposition and for guiding said spacers onto said shaft and the edges of afilm as it is wound thereon.

.5. Apparatus for the purposes set forthcomprisinga pair of spaclnstrips of width,

not exceedlng the width of t e natural blank portion at each rim ofa-flexible film' and constructed with light-excluding passages, acontainer having means for winding said spacers spirally, a film holderin said c0ntainer, and means through .which said spacers pass andareguided to the rims of a film and wound therewith as it is drawn fromsaid holder by said means for winding said 5 acers.

6. pparatus for the pu with said v coil ng up a plurality of separatedfilms about a common axis and sandwiched in berposes set forth film andspacers therein, the said winding means being operated from theexterior. of

said container.

7. In apparatus of the class set forth a pair of'separate spacing stripsof identical character, eachbein not more than one eighth inchwide,'hav1ng one smooth surface for contact with a film, and havingchannels which allow fluids to pass but exclude light whensaid'spacers'are'wound into operative position.-

- 8. In a portable apparatus for developing photographic films thecombination of a suitable container, a frame therefor, means thereinwhereby a film may be spaced at its rims and means whereby said film maybe moved longitudinally within said container. 7

9. In apparatus, of the character specified,

a container, a frame therein, a winding shaft, a film supply holder, anda pair of spacing strips within said frame, a crank external to saidcontainer and connecting with said' shaft, and means for holding saidspacing strips parallel to each other and taut with respect 'to saidwindin shaft.

10. The combination with paratus of two separate spacingstripssubdeveloping 'apstantially three thirty seconds of an inch wide and'eachhavin'g one. smooth surface,

anda reel for holding said strips parallel and in spaced relationf-tol'each other, said reel having retain-ing flanges for each of said strips.A

11. In a paratus for developing normally substantia ly' flatfiexible'films, means for tween' a plurality of combined spacing andholding strips which contact with the blank rims but not and means forapplying fluids'thereto.

j 12. Apparatus for-developing film pack thepicture' faces of saidfilms. I

films comprising a container having means for holding a supply of films,a winding shaft .and a" reel rotatably'mounted therein,

comb1ned"filmspacing. and film engaging means carriedfby said tech-andmeans for simultaneously winding a film from said supply and saidholding and spacing means about said shaft,

13. Apparatus for developing film pack 4 films com rising, afilm supplyholder, a winding ,s aft,-an d combined means for holding and spacingfilm's,

film. pack filmsabout said shaft positively spaced from each other and.held in positlon a containerffor' said elements, and means for wmdingsaid by said combined holding and spacing means' v 14. Apparatus for thepurpose set forth comprising a container, a film pack holder and awinding shaft therein, parallelstripsv associated with said shaft andmeans to wind said strips on said'shaft, and means to .Wind films fromsaid holder about said shaft and both held and spaced by said strips,successive films being thereby clamped.

between adjacent layers of said strips and v I positively'held from eachother.

15. The'method for the purpose set forth which consists in placing afilm pack in intimate light tight relation with a developing apparatus,pulling films from said pack into said apparatus directly by means ofthe natural tabs thereof and without attaching any extensions to saidtabs, retaining said tabs together whereby not more than one of saidfilms will be pulled into said apparatus at a time, applying spacingstrips at the rims of said films so as to both hold said films and spacethem from each other, and maintaining the said pack in its originallight tight condition throughout these operations.

16. Apparatus of the class specified comprising combined supporting,holding, and spacing means for supporting a plurality of individualfilms in spaced relation so that said films are uniformly accessible tofluids but protected from actinic light, a film supply holder inrelation therewith, and

means for attaching a flap from a film from said supply holder to saidfilm supporting 1 .means whereby said flap serves to transfer said filmthereon.

217. In apparatus of the class set forth, a container, means forintroducing a supply of'films therein, a .reel and film spacing means insaid container, means for Wll'ldlIlLQ said spacing means about saidreel, and

means for successively winding up a plurality of separate films fromsaid supply onto said reel and in contact with said spacing meanswhereby the picture portion of tabs of said pack against a portion ofsaid container.

20. Developing-apparatus having, in combination, a winding-spindle; apair of separating strips; a reel for supporting the strips; a frameforrotatably supporting the spindle and the reel and for supporting a filmsupply holder, said frame having means for guiding said separatingstrips from said reel to the spindle and for holding the strips tautwhile they are transferred reel to the spindle' 21. Developing-apparatushaving, in combination, a winding-spindle; a plurality of separatingstrips; a reel for supporting the '70 from the strips; and a frame forrotatably supporting I container, a plurality of combined spacing and'film holding strips and a reel for holding same in said container,means to engage the natural paper strip attached to a film from saidfilm pack holder to transfer said film from the holder to the Windingshaft, and means to simultaneously guide said spacing strips from saidreel to said shaft and wind said spacing strips about said shaft to bothhold and space said film so that the portionvthereof to be developed isfreely accessible to any fiuid which may be supplied to said wound upfilm and spacing strips.

23. In apparatus of the class specified, a suitable container, meanstherein to hold a film package, a winding spindle in said container andextending therethrough, resilient members in said container and engagingsaid spindle to control the rotation thereof, two film spacers and meansto retain said spacers in operative position in said con-g tainer, andmeans for transferring a film from said film package to said windingsplndle and for simultaneously winding said spacers about said spindleso that the rims of said film sandwich in between suc-' 'cessive layersof said spacers, all while the whole is contained within said container.

24. Developing-apparatus having, in combination; alight tight containerprovided with a removable cover; a winding spindle therein and extendingtherethrough; a pair of separating strips; ,a reel for supporting saidstrips;. and a frame adapted to fit in said container to hold a supplyof films and to rotatably support the spindle and the reel, said framebeing adjustable in order that film supplies of more than one size maybe accommodated.

25. In combination, a frame comprising two plates and joining membersbetween-"the plates, a shaft, a film supply holder, and a reel mountedin said frame, spacingstrips carried and guided by said reel, and alight tight fluid said frame and having an exterior crank in .relationthereto and cooperating with said frame to turn said shaft.

26. In combination; a frame carrying a winding shaft and a reel havingmeans for retaining and winding two separate spacing strips, a filmsupply holder in relation to said frame, a container frame, and meansfor moving said frame therein.

27 As a developing machine, a container, a film pack holder therein, ashaft extending through said container, a plurality of combined filmholding and film spacing strips whose depth is substantially the same asthe Width thereof, means for winding said strips about said shaft, andmeans'for successively pulling individual films from said pack intorelation with said strips about said shaft so that adjacent layers ofsaid films about said shaftare spaced from .each other a distanceequivalent and due to the depth of said strips. i

28. The method of developing film pack films which consists inengagingjthe attached paper strips thereof, thereby sucfilms from saidpack and into a plurality of separated spiral layers, simultaneouslyplacing spacing strips in between said layers, one face of sai strips incontact with the non-picture portion of said films and the othercontacting with the back of the next adjacent layer thereof whereby saidstrips both hold and space saidfilms, applying a treating fluid to saldspaced films, protecting said films from light and said fluid from theatmosphere while said films are being treated, and thereafter fixing andwashing said films. 29. The combination with means for developing aphotographic image of a flexible spacing strip having one smooth surfaceof admitting container inclosing' for inclosing said spacing strips facethereof narrow width corresponding to' the Width of the naturally blankrim of a camera film and a plurality of fluid passageways which preventthe passage of light.

' 30. In combination with means for developing a flexible film, aspacing element smooth surface of width corresponding to in the form ofa flexible strip with one the narrow blank rim of a camera film andcontact therewith without touchadaptedto said film, and a ing thepicture portion of multiplicity of fluid openings in staggered relationtherein so as to prevent the passage of light.

31. The combination with apparatus of the class set forth of .a pair ofseparate of identical character, each being not more than one eighthinch wide, with one surface of said width of not more than one eighthinch smooth along its length for contact With the rim of a film, andhaving' channels which allow fluids to pass but exclude light when saidspacers are wound into operative position. 1

. 32. Apparatus of the character set forth comprising a container, awinding shaft therein and extending therethrough,"- a holder for asupply of films therein and in relation to said shaft, and means forcoiling films from said supply holder about said shaft in a series ofspaced layers, said means comprising combined film gripping and filmspacing strips of width corresponding to the width of the usual blankrims of such films contacting therewith and sand-, wic hed in. betweensuccessive layers of said .films to hold, grip, and space each such film

